Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement | OSMRE.GOV - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement | OSMRE.GOV

SMCRA Signed into law by • President Johnson in August of 1977 Regulates both existing • mines and “pre - law” or abandoned mines Gives Authority to the • States OSM provides regulatory • oversight Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement | OSMRE.GOV

PA COAL FIELDS BITUMINOUS REGION This region covers about • 12,000 sq. miles in 28 counties of PA. 4 fields: Main Bituminous • Field; George’s Creek Field; Broad Top Field; and the North Central Field. The majority of the mines are • located in this region. Characterized by mountains • and gently rolling hills. Areas within this region • contain acidic overburden often requiring special reclamation efforts. Estimated bituminous • reserves total 23 billion tons (5.3% of US reserves) ANTHRACITE REGION covers approx. 3,300 sq miles • Characterized by steeply • pitching seams, some with dips in excess of 60 degrees 3

Mining Methods • Two General Coal Mining Methods • Underground Mining • Room and Pillar • Longwall Mining • Surface Mining • Contour Strip • Mountaintop

Surface Mining-Contour Strip

WCAP History • Program began in 1999 • Offshoot of the ACSI • In Pennsylvania alone, there have been 114 WCAP projects funded, totaling 9.5 million dollars, with a partner Gavazzi Treatment System – Little Toby Creek contributions of 44 Watershed million dollars.

AMD Impacts • PA – 2,500 miles • WV – 2,500 Miles • OH – 1,300 Miles • MD – 300 Miles Laurel Run - Maryland

Eligibility • Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) • Must be eligible for AML Money • Work in conjunction with the regulatory authority Frog Treatment System – Morgan Run Watershed

Application process • Contact us early • Matching funds ?? • Federal Assistance Manual • Apply on Grants.gov Gallentine Treatment System – Indian Creek

Review Process • Reviewed in conjunction with Regional Grants Personnel • Merit Panel Ranking • 3 members not on the review team • Site Visit • NEPA Review Coal Run System – Schrader Creek Watershed

Current Projects 2019 NOFO • Ohio – 1 Project • Pennsylvania – 11 projects Illesboro Road Land Reclamation – Raccoon Creek Watershed

Current Projects • PA – 2 projects in FY2018 • $894,614 total • $130,000 WCAP • PA – 11 applications in FY2019 • 9 Maintenance Projects • 2 New Systems • OH – 1 application in Richards Passive Treatment System – Blacklick FY2019 Creek Watershed

How does it work?? • Two Year agreement • Semi-annual reports • Periodic on site inspections • Final reports and inspection MR 7 – Morgan Run

Future of the Program • 3.5 million dollars currently allocated • Tracking the Successes • Learning from the Failures • Aging Watershed Groups/Lack of involvement West Branch of the Susquehanna watershed near Shawville PA

Daiva Passive Treatment System – Mill Creek Watershed Questions??